Volcanoes rout Indians 10-4

Salem-Keizer’s Johneshwy Fargas rounds third and contemplates stealing home on a passed ball Tuesday, July 22, in a game against Spokane. (KEIZERTIMES/Eric A. Howald)

By HERB SWETTFor the Keizertimes

The Volcanoes made their hits count Friday, whipping the Spokane Indians 10-4 in the first game of a long home stand.

Many fans missed an exciting win, with Salem-Keizer leading all the way before a crowd of 1,633, tied for the second smallest of the season so far.

Christian Arroyo was the star of the game, driving in four runs on three hits and participating in a double play.

Ethan Miller was the Volcanoes’ starting and winning pitcher, striking out five in his six innings and allowing seven hits but only one walk.

The first two runs came in the bottom of the first inning. Johneshwy Fargas walked on a 3-and-2 count, Seth Harrison singled to center field, and both advanced on a wild pitch by Reed Garrett, the starting and losing pitcher. Arroyo batted both runners in with a single to left.

Spokane answered with one run in the second. Zach Cone walked and went to third base on third baseman Sam Mende’s error on a force play attempt that let Fernando Vivili reach second. Saquan Johnson singled Cone home.

The Volcanoes added a run in the third. Harrison hit an infield single, went to third on a single to center by Skyler Ewing and scored as Travious Relaford hit into a force out.

Seven more Salem-Keizer runs came in the fifth, all with two out. Arroyo led off with a single to right, Ewing struck out and Relaford grounded out, with Arroyo reaching second. Mende scored Arroyo with a single to center and went to third on a throw home. Jonathan Jones singled to right, driving in Mende. Ryan Ledbetter came in to pitch.

Shilo McCall singled to center, moving Jones to second. Jared Deacon, who was to be the only Volcano without a hit for the game, walked, loading the bases. With Fargas at the plate, a wild pitch scored Jones and moved the other runners to third and second. Fargas walked, reloading the bases.

McCall scored as an error by third baseman Profar put Harrison on first. Arroyo singled Fargas and Harrison home.